Stevens says he won't seek pardon from Bush
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/11/18/art.stevens1.gi.jpg caption="Stevens is not seeking a pardon."](CNN) - Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, who was recently convicted on seven felony counts, said Tuesday he won’t ask President Bush to pardon him.
“No, no, no,” Stevens responded emphatically when asked if he would seek a pardon.
The embattled senator, who turned 85 Tuesday, spoke briefly to reporters as he entered a meeting of Senate Republicans who were to decide whether he would be allowed to remain a member of their conference.
“I wouldn’t wish what I’m going through on anyone, my worst enemy,” Stevens said in some of his first public comments about his ordeal since he was convicted last month of failing to report more than $250,000 worth of gifts from an Alaskan oil services company which renovated his house.
“Look, I haven’t had a night’s sleep in almost four months. I went home even during the trial. I came to the Senate the night after the trial. So, I’ve been living like three different lives so it’s hard to even answer your questions but I’m doing my best,” he said.
Election officials are still counting outstanding ballots to determine if Stevens will win re-election. His Democratic rival, Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich, is currently leading by a slim margin.
Republican senators put off their decision about Stevens’ standing in the GOP conference until after its determined if he’ll be re-elected.
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The fool should try it. He should be a lead pipe cinch for a pardon from W. Seriously, Alaska should be a bit more careful who they choose to run the state. The lower 48 would appreciate it.. Stevens' rival should win by default – the fault that Stevens does not know how to keep out of trouble. Anyway. Alaska, Arkansas. Is there really a difference in the intelligence of the people? After all, they elected Sarah didn't they?
This is a low water mark in American politics. Doesn't make a difference to me what happens to Stevens, the years of abuse and damage followed by claims of ignorance has made a mockery of political office. From what I've read (I can't say first hand) this Senator's history is riddled with questionable activity and the fine people of Alaska have re-elected him over and over again. I would like to see him go away.
i would be asking BUSH to pardon me!!!
I don't know if the article has been re-posted but it does say Alaska, not Arkansas, so I don't understand comments relating to that.
As far a the pardon goes, it would not surprise me if Bush did pardon him. What does Dubya have to loose? He pardoned Libby didn't he? He probably won't pardon those two innocent border patrol agents who shot at an illegal alien drug smuggler in self defense.
I'd wish what he's going thru on Sarah Palin, who needs to be thoroughly investigated along with her secessionist hubby Todd.
Looks like someone punched him in the face.
I really don't understand why someone who is 85 years old, obviously well off, doesn't want to retire. I don't get it....Is there stuff he wants to keep covered up???
W will pardon ALL republicans. No questions asked. What a ditz we've had in the white house the last 8 years. Hope you republicans that voted for him are happy happy happy
We don't believe you Ted!
Good, Retain what honor you have left...
When are we going to find out who (and who's money) built Sarah Palin's house?
Maybe that can happen after she 'cleans up' stevens mess!
Felons cannot vote but they can run for office? Am I living in a banana republic?
I'm sure Scooter Libby won't ask for a pardon either...but it won't matter because he'll get one anyway.
Governors pardon deathrow inmates (correct me if I'm wrong) right? Well, Sarah Palin can pardon him. The guy is over 80. Just pardon him and let him go back home to Wasilla. Isn't that where they are all from? Or may be he is from Jeneau. Sarah Palin made us pay too much attention to Alaska.
I have been trying to forget Alaska but here comes Stevens again. We probably need to talk about Wyoming or North Dakota.
Dudes, this is what happens when you lay off all of your copy editors.
This guy would be cleanest guy of the lot that Bush will pardon. The first 2 people that W will pardon will be himself and Cheney! By the way, I still don't like Clinton for the crooks he pardoned at the end of HIS administration.
This is a response to the Jack Cafferty piece close by:
For Jack Cafferty and the rest of you idiots, the repub leaders have already said that they would vote to expell him from the senate as soon as the ELECTION is over. If Alaskins vote him in than they're not much different than most of the pathetic voters in this country.
This is pure pollitics no doubt, but if he wins and resigns Gov. Palin can pick his succesor, it would be idiotic for anyone to think that they would shoot themselves in the foot just to satisfy morons like Cafferty.
If Jack or any of you hate filled numbsculls think the dems would do it differently then you desperately need to read something other than CNN.
Does Ted Stevens really expect people to feel sorry for him? GO HOME TO ALASKA with your bud Palin
Looks like CNN fixed the "Arkansas" SNAFU... and who are we kidding, that pardon from Bush is inevitable. Dubya is gonna stir up some serious you-know-what before he leaves. He practically burned the USA to the ground in eight years, might as well trash it a little more on the way out.
Just looked at Anchorage Daily News site....looks like Stevens has lost his seat in the Senate. Saves the Senate from having to remove him. Good! The wicked witch of wasilla can stay right where she is.
I lived in Alaska for 29 years and Stevens was the most obnoxious a$$ hole who ever lived. He called himself the meanest SOB in Congress and he was proud of it. He gave the University of Alaska a $25 million computer to study the northern lights. I have often wondered if they ever found them. I won't even mention the $400 million bridge to the Ketchikan airport, otherwise known as "The Bridge to Nowhere". His legacy is the billions he sent to Alaska when he was chairman of the appropriations committee. Maybe his final legacy will be Leavenworth.
Now, it is the democrats turn at the trough. I can not even imagine what they will do for themselves.
Begich doubled his lead since last Friday to 2,374. He may increase his lead with further votes to be counted.
Well then fess-up and quit being such a lying weasel. You sound like Richard Nixon living in denial of your corrupt lifestyle – taking bribes from Big Oil.
NO PITTY FOR THIS OLD CROOK, HE'S JUST SORRY HE GOT CAUGHT!!
NO PITTY FOR THIS OLD CROOK, HE'S JUST SORRY HE GOT CAUGHT!!
NO PITTY FOR THIS OLD CROOK, HE'S JUST SORRY HE GOT CAUGHT!!
NO PITTY FOR THIS OLD CROOK, HE'S JUST SORRY HE GOT CAUGHT!!
NO PITTY FOR THIS OLD CROOK, HE'S JUST SORRY HE GOT CAUGHT!!
NO PITTY FOR THIS OLD CROOK, HE'S JUST SORRY HE GOT CAUGHT!!
I will believe it when Bush is gone – one criminal should cover for the next. Bushes administration will go down as the most criminal in the history of the world – ahead of WWII Germany and Japan. And this felon is one of the biggest supporters but his vile record is even longer than Bushes.
Waiting for the vote count in Alaska is like watching ice melt...slow.